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An ESPN veteran is throwing his support behind Troy Aikman.
Michael Wilbon, host of ESPN’s longest-running television program, “Pardon the Interruption,” threw a subtle shot at the Worldwide Leader’s bosses in support of their lead “Monday Night Football” commentator.
“You know who calls a game better than Troy Aikman, knuckleheads? Nobody calls a game better than Troy Aikman!” Wilbon, who has been with the network since 2001, said emphatically while raising his voice and clapping his hands as he was signing off during an episode last week.
Aikman is set to be a free agent at the end of this season and appears poised to split with the network.
He had a pregame argument with his partner Joe Buck, who extended his contract earlier this year, before last week’s “MNF” game between the Bills and Rams in Los Angeles, Front Office Sports reported.
Aikman has not received an offer from ESPN, though Monday’s telecast between he and Buck showed no lingering drama.
“It just seems to be where they’re going — that they’re gonna go in a different direction because there’s been no talks, no contract negotiations,” Aikman said last week.
Wilbon’s support is noteworthy, as he is one of the company’s longest-running employees, but he’s been critical of them before.
Wilbon and his co-host Tony Kornheiser signed extensions through 2028 last year.
Earlier this month, Wilbon criticized ESPN for not promoting “PTI” anymore.
“It’s not even need for attention. You watch a lot of promos of this network, of all the shows in this network, and you’ll never see mention of this show,” Wilbon said about “PTI.” “There’s a phrase where I’m from that I utter. It starts with an F and ends with a U. That’s how I feel. I’m from the South Side of Chicago. I got a chip on my shoulder every day. And you want to ignore this show, really? Go ahead, but then ignore it. Don’t watch it. Turn the channel. I don’t care. But the promotion, go on your ESPN app. Stephen A. [Smith] says, [Pat] McAfee says. You won’t find a mention of this show.”
Pat McAfee, Sean McVay (if he leaves the Rams) and Fox’s Greg Olson have been mentioned as possible replacements for Aikman.